Barack Obama gives BOD the nod at ceremony

President Obama celebrated the legacy of Brian O'Driscoll ahead of this weekend's Six Nations finale in Paris.

Obama was speaking at the annual Shamrock ceremony at the White House attended by the Taoiseach and his family as well as Michelle Obama and Joe Biden.

President Obama thanked the Taoiseach for bringing his family and mentioned the rugby star:

"I'm especially grateful that they're here at a time when the rest of Ireland is focused on the final round of the Six Nations rugby tournament!" the President said.

"And the last match of the legendary Brian O'Driscoll!" he added, to ragged cheers.

He said that while he knew many of his guests would want to speak to the Kenny family, he wanted to make sure they kept their voices intact to cheer on Ireland tomorrow.

The ceremony concluded two days of diplomatic talks between the Taoiseach and the US administration where issues to do with immigration reform, the Irish economy and Northern Ireland talks were top priorities.